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AFS Amazon Trip Journal May 2005
We set
out with a group of 38 singles and as usual they were initially timid
but quickly bonded in friendship. On arrival in Lima we check into
a lovely hotel located in trendy Miraflores district. There was a guided
city tour, leisure time to explore and a delicious dinner of sea bass
ceviche at a restaurant built on an ocean pier.
Next
day we flew Lan to Iquitos where we were greeted by 3 top guides who
remain with us for our 6 days in the jungle. They are truly pro's on
flora, fauna and having fun! All transport is by boat. 90 miles down
river we arrive to Explonapo Lodge in the heart of Amazonia. No plumbing
or electricity, feels like an episode out of "Survivor." Rustic to the
extreme yet therein lies the unique charm. I fell in love with the
resident "pets". There was Adrian the toucan who would poke his long
beak into the dining room door for a treat, along with several tame
parrots and scarlet macaws. Charlie was a Capybara that looked like a
mutant 100lb. guinea pig. When I'd scratch under his chin he'd close his
eyes and make cooing sounds.
The pitch black nights were spooky with a symphony of wild noises. Our
rooms were connected with a privacy wall and an open thatched roof. Like
a giant slumber party, we all shouted "goodnight Johnboy" from our
mosquito netted beds. Suddenly Sharon screamed and the guys run to her
room. She found a giant lizard tucked in with her in her bed. At 3am I
head to the latrine with flashlight in hand. Inside a bat flutters near
my head as I repeatedly whisper "bat's are good."
Enough roughing it. We board our boats for "luxury in the Amazon" at
Ceiba Tops. With air conditioning, tropical gardens and a pool, it feels
like the Ritz to us. I take the world's longest shower as others enjoy
Pisco Sours by the pool. We all gain weight with fresh food throughout
that is both delicious and plentiful.
On
daily boat tours we saw giant water lilies, sloths, countless birds and
the elusive pink dolphins. We fished by cane poles for
piranha
to fry
up for dinner. We visited a family with a pet anaconda snake. My brave
clients drape it around themselves for a photo op. We delivered medical
supplies to a remote clinic serving the poor river people. Here a tooth
extraction costs $2 if they can afford it.
There
were many highlights! We hiked the world's longest canopy walk 100' high
in the trees. We visited Monkey Island, a research station for 8 species
that room free. For one photo I held 3 at a time. There was a lecture by
two resident shamans who taught us about medicinal plants and then
blessed us individually as they removed our bad spirits. At the Yagua
Indian Village we traded our western goods for masks and blowguns
(several of these were later were confiscated by TSA.)
The
best part of the trip for me was a surprise visit to a rural school.
Inside were 50+ children barefoot and wide-eyed who never see tourists.
Tears filled my eyes as they sang their national anthem to us. We sang
our anthem to them and deposited a ton of school supplies to the two
teachers. It was a glorious sight.
Back to Lima, we all scatter to shop the Indian markets. The dollar is so strong
here that several in the group bought another suitcase to fill. I did my Xmas
shopping in May. Our fabulous dinner was at a
restaurant set in pre-Incan ruins. We toast each other goodbye with many hugs as
I remiss a journey well done. This group was so prefect I'd like to clone them
all for future AFS trips. I couldn't hand pick better travelers for this
adventure.
I have always loved the land of Peru. I am now designing a unique future trip to
include Machu Piccu, boating Lake Titicaca, visits to natives on floating reed
islands and crossing to La Paz Bolivia. For the moment, I have tired of Europe.
There is a spirit of humility found in the hearts of these people that I am
unable to adequately describe here. Nor can my photos justly convey Peru. It
truly must be experienced.
Note: AFS has officially adopted the Timicurillo School. We welcome your
contributions. For just $10 per year, you can provide materials for these
beautiful children who have so little. For more information please contact
Barbara at poetrymischief@yahoo.com for more details.
Adventures for Singles is the original singles travel company for the
international group traveler. We specialize in travel for singles,
post to travel blogs or singles travel blogs regularly with Suzy's trip
journals. Though Adventures For Singles is not primarily about
dating, it does happen and we've have had 17 marriages directly related
to our single vacations. Our goal is to provide an
affordable, quality vacations for adult singles. Singles travel
packages, single travel, adventure travel destinations for singles
describes what we do. We always are looking to add single male
travelers to our groups and singles cruises
Next
day we flew Lan to Iquitos where we were greeted by 3 top guides who
remain with us for our 6 days in the jungle. They are truly pro's on
flora, fauna and having fun! All transport is by boat. 90 miles down
river we arrive to Explonapo Lodge in the heart of Amazonia. No plumbing
or electricity, feels like an episode out of "Survivor." Rustic to the
extreme yet therein lies the unique charm. I fell in love with t
